Annual Report of the Trustees of the Museum of Comparative Zo Ology, Together with the Report of the Director (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1863. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY IN CAMBRIDGE. "This pamphlet was chiefly prepared last summer while Professor Agassiz was ill and absent from Cambridge. Though he has been consulted abont certain statements therein contained, he has had no direct concern in writing it. It is proper to say this, inasmuch as what may come as a very timely statement from friends of the Museum would from its personal character be wholly unbecoming from its Director. In the year 1847 the late Hon. Abbott Lawrence gave fifty thousand dollars to Harvard University for the purpose of establishing THE LAWRENCE SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL. At that time Mr. Lawrence asked Professor Agassiz if he would accept a professorship in the new School, adding that his favorable answer would be an additional inducement for him to make the endowment. Professor Agassiz accepted the offer, and was soon afterwards appointed Lawrence Professor of Zoology and Geology in the Scientific School of Harvard University. He found, on entering upon his duties, that there were no collections in Cambridge with which to illustrate lectures upon Geology and Zoology, and that no provision had been made to oblain such collections by purchase or otherwise. He was, therefore, obliged to make them at his own expense, which he did until they had outgrown his means and individual powers. In 1852, when the Professor had already extensive collections, stored partly in his own house, partly in the cellar of Harvard Hall, and partly in a shanty on the Brighton road, the late Mr. Samuel Eliot, who was then Treasurer of Harvard University, rbised by private subscription the sum of twelve thousand dollars to purchase these collections and to provide for their arrangement. Professor Agassiz, however, continued to spend all that he cou...